Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering (Sep 2019)

Computer Assisted Auscultation System for Phonoangiography of the Carotid Artery

  • Sühn Thomas,
  • Mahmoodian Naghmeh,
  • Sreenivas Arathi,
  • Maldonado Iván,
  • Spiller Moritz,
  • Boese Axel,
  • Illanes Alfredo,
  • Friebe Michael,
  • Bloxton Michael

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1515/cdbme-2019-0044
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. 175 – 178

Abstract

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Cerebrovascular diseases such as stenosis, atherosclerosis or distention of the carotid artery are accountable for about 1 million death per year across Europe. Diagnostic tools like ultrasound imaging, angiography or magnetic resonance-based imaging require specific hardware and highly depend on the experience of the examining clinician. In contrast auscultation with a stethoscope can be used to screen for carotid bruits - audible vascular sounds associated with turbulent blood flow - a method called phonoangiography. A reliable auscultation setup is prerequisite to ensure high signal quality, adequate processing and the objective evaluation of this audible signal. We propose a computer assisted auscultation system for the acquisition of vascular sounds of the carotid. The system comprises of an auscultation device, a smartphone-based control application and cloud-based signal analysis and storage. It is designed to facilitate the objective assessment, screening and monitoring of long-term changes in the vessel condition based on auscultation of the carotid artery.

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